Death Among the Stars Quest 54

With the last remaining pockets of resistance cleared out on the surface of the desolate world anchoring Station 88 your Reconstructed turn to scouring the world for these supposed ruins that drew the Confederates in the first place. Nails and Coffins fly search patterns alongside the serpentine Drakes searching through canyons and mountains. It did not take long for a high flying Drake to spot something odd with the placement of rubble at the base of a steep cliff-face.

Folding its wings against its body it plummets like a shot through the air before unfurling them with a snap of air to descend slowly to the ground. Up close it was easy to see the area had been recently occupied with vehicle tracks and debris from excavations. The cliff-face showed signs or recent collapse and a closer look revealed it had been detonated to cause it to fall, explaining the heavy pile of rubble.

By that point a Coffin appeared with a team of Reconstructed and as it lands the Drake gives a mighty flap of its wings to return to the air. Trolls and a lumbering Brute emerge and begin hauling away the rubble and before long they reveal the edges of a large opening. As they cleared more under the morning sun they spot carvings in the stone not destroyed and soon your suspicions were confirmed as the Brute hauls away a slab of stone that revealed carvings in the stone wall.

Dominated by a depiction of a swirling star, while faded and worn, it was a bittersweet sight. The symbol of the Wormstar with the sigil of Ruscuv one of your lesser sisters in lichdom, a grasping claw of a hand reaching for the star, carved below it. As your Reconstructed continued to haul away the rubble they are quickly reinforced by more troops and a small base being constructed from materials brought by Coffin.

You could only guess what awaited you below in this vault as Gargoyles moved to search the darkness.

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Aw yeah, DAtSQ time. I'm so glad we got that nat100 now.

Welcome back folks! Let's get this going

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Stockpile:
>9,613,165B (50 Biomass Farms: 2,250,000, 40 Lichen Farms: 6000, 200 Solar 8000, Tributes: 2500)
>11,226,920M (20 Mining Facilities 1,200,000, 15 Omega Fleets 975,000, 30 Reaper Fleets 39000)

Troop Totals:
>7 Necromancers
>6 Voidknight Disciples
>9000 Talons (30 Clutches)
>300 Aquatic Talons (1 Clutch)
>750 Cyclops: (15 Squads)
>100 Aquatic Cyclops (2 Squads)
>6000 Stingers (30 Platoons)
>250 Gargoyles (5 Flights)
>150 Aquatic Gargoyles (3 Flights)
>200 Flatbody Gargoyles
>3000 Trolls (20 Packs)
>1800 Shock Troops (12 Packs)
>240 Looms (8 Shoals)
>225 Crit Crawls (125 EMP 100 Exp)
>100 devouring swarms
>400 Stalkers (5 Packs)
>5 Alpha Stalkers
>240 Shadows (4 Clusters)
>200 Scourges (1 Swarm)
>501 Dirges
>200 Think Tanks
>50 Demi Think Tanks
>150 Cauldrons
>550 Glutton Spheres
>240 Large Glutton Spheres
>200 Requiems
>400 Brutes
>100 Crawlers
>100 Drakes

Necrolyte Legion:
>1 Voidsinger Commander
>15 Officers
>10 Voidsingers
>1290 Legionnaires
>1 Light Cruiser
>2 Frigates
>2 Corvettes

Living Subjects:
>Jor
>7 Necromancer apprentices
>96 Colonists
>540 Stonestar
>24 Plainsrunner Osogo
>50 Tyrre Gladi
>100 Osjiic
>225 Confederate non-combatants
>10 Dagger Piratesators

Prisoners:
>Dne'tec Ahkam Male
>Cve'jok Ahkam Juvenile
>5 Voidsingers
>2 Deathshead Guardians
>440 UON forces

Guests:
>Obsidianborn Construct
>30 Stonestar Researchers
>300 Stonestar Warriors

Vehicles/Ships:
>1 Flagship "Charnel Vault"
>Fury of the Wormstar
>Blackscale Destroyer "Pestilence"
>7 Void Terrors
>The Wick - Confederate Smuggler
>100 Chariots
>50 Hearses
>300 Coffins
>600 Support Coffins
>2175 Common Nails
>1300 Piercing Nails
>815 Gunships
>300 Corvettes
>90 Support Corvettes
>131 Frigates
>78 Boarding Frigates
>161 Light Cruisers
>30 Boarding Cruisers
>135 Heavy Cruiser
>80 Plasma Weaver Cruisers
>100 Bloat Carriers
>25 Terrordromes
>97 Battlecruisers
>50 Hangar Battlecruisers
>38 Destroyers
>20 Void Destroyers
>43 Battleships
>20 Eyegores

Captured Ships:
>1 Dagger Clanship
>1 Osjiic Heavy Cruiser
>3 Osjiic Frigate
>8 Osjiic Corvettes
>1 Ahkam Battleship
>1 Ahkam Battlecruiser
>2 Osjiic Battleship
>2 Osjiic Destroyer
>2 Ahkam Corvettes
>3 Ahkam Frigates
>1 Osjiic Battlecruiser
>10 Dagger disguised Frigates
>5 Osjiic disguised Frigates
>14 Osjiic disguised Fighters
>4 ahkam frigates
>6 ahkam corvettes
>30 ahkam fighters
>1 UON Battleship
>1 UON BattleCruiser
>1 UON Heavy Cruiser
>2 UON Light Cruisers
>6 UON Frigates
>7 UON Corvettes

Ships in Construction:
>200 Battleships 2 Days
>50 Destroyers 1 Day
>50 Void Destroyers 1 Day
>70 Battlecruisers 1 Day
>30 Hangar Battlecruisers 1 Day
>100 Heavy Cruisers Completed
>50 Boarding HC's Completed
>50 Plasma HC Completed
>200 Light Cruisers Completed
>70 Common Frigates Completed
>30 Boarding Frigates Completed
>40 Support Corvettes Completed

Say, could you update your twitter? I nearly missed this thread dude.

Completed Research:
>Trusting Pheromone: Helps convince a target that the user of this pheromone is a close friend and trustworthy
>Panic Pheromone: This pheromone induces a flight or fight response in most species
>Hallucination Pheromone: This pheromone causes minor visual hallucinations and unease in those affected
>Depression Pheromone: Can cause those affected to become apathetic and upset
>Arc Weaponry: Using the breakthrough of the Arc Condenser the Predator order has created a handful of new weapons for the Armada
>War-Tank: Found in the cargo hold of an Osjiic battleship this impressive vehicle of war is a deadly force on the battlefield

Current Research
>Mental Reading: Slow
>Arc Blink: Slow
>Orbital Platform: Slow
>Space Elevator: Slow
>Advanced Void Reactor: Medium
>Heavy Exosuits: Medium
>Advanced Skip Drive: Medium
>Virus Bombs: Slow
>UON Wardrones: Medium
>Assault Drone: Medium
>Ambient Energy Collection: Slow
>Sunscale Cloning project: Slow

Sorry, just did

Unlocked:
Pheromone Manipulation: Specially modified pheromones and thorough study on a variety of sentient beings now allows the use of these pheromones to subtly influence a living beings emotional state. These give a bonus to interrogation, intimidation, and other interactions with living beings but the effects are not powerful enough to completely control the actions of another.

Arc Weaponry:
Arc-Bolter: A medium weapon with two modes of fire, the first launching metal arc-charged bolts that attract the secondary fire, a constant beam of Arc energy. Hitting the target with the bolt, then switching to the Arc beam it can then arc and twist over cover or around corners following the bolt. Up to three targets can be hit with a bolt and the beam will split but each beam will cause less damage. Critical hits have a chance for the beam to arc to a new target from the targeting bolt. Requires pairing with an Arc Condenser.

Storm Grenades: Similar in function to an arc condenser, but simplified and miniaturized, these cluster grenades are launched from a Thumper and will generate an area of effect dealing continuous Arc and electrical damage for a limited time. Fires three small grenades at a time but multiple volleys will stack and prolong the effect.

New Vehicle:
Battle Tomb: A large and heavy land tank that hovers across the terrain in support of ground troops and other vehicles, escorting troop carriers and providing heavy covering fire. Sporting heavier armor than the Large Reconstructed the Battle Tomb can be used as mobile cover for other troops or a battering ram to break through fortifications. All Battle Tombs come with a single Needle Missile pod and can either be equipped with heavy weaponry like that of the Large Reconstructed or mount Pin Missile pods. Cost: 120B 180M

Stuck in limbo at the doctors waiting room
Check twitter "Threads up"

Feeling better already

Apologies,No new fan art today I was up late drawing a candleman

All good mate.

On the moon of Horizon's Drop profane rituals were underway, the screams of Sunscale Workers ringing out through dark tunnels. Predator Nekris and Revenant Lorgul seal themselves away in their respective temples, Dominator Valresko alone in a deep pit he'd had constructed for his own eventual stronghold. Even from the Charnel Vault you could sense the powerful emanations of Void, Solar, and Arc, your Generals constructing for themselves weapons and tools of staggering might.

Across the sector you watch as Buddy meets with their new contact in one of the lower levels of the mega-city covering a portion of Veraga Primes largest continent. The Demi-Think Tank floats up to a window in a back alley to peer through discreetly as Buddy and his partners Eigha and Clud sit in a large cloud filled room across from a pair of well-dressed human and kosda. Dried narcotikelp burns in the basket of a hookah sitting on the table between them, the kosda drawing in deep lungfuls of the potent smoke before letting out a thick cloud of pale smoke. Their talks of bribes and smuggling routes and cuts bored you and you leave them to make their plans and plots. You only cared that the Narcotikelp spread throughout the Confederacy and Buddy promised these low-lives were the way to do so.

Roktir and Dretst returned to the prisoners and spoke to them during the night and now those that would fight for the Necrolyte Legion were brought to the grand plaza of Iti'a'Ropku. There the Voidsinger Commander stood with Jor and the pair of your most trusted living agents welcomed the new recruits and explained their purpose to the Armada. Those that elected not to join the Legion were there as well and as the new Legionnaires departed to be assessed and assigned by the officers of the Legion Jor stepped forward to speak to the rest of them, explaining that while they no longer had to live in cramped prisons they were still under the Armada's control.

>cont

The Lavafathers Moon, now called Bastion by the imprisoned entity himself, progresses steadily in its industrialization. Inspired by the Armada and seeming to want to live up to your faith entrusted to them, the Obsidianborn and the Stonestar continue to build ever larger structures but to your curiosity you watch through a Cyclops as a building sized spire of stone, carved with specially grown veins of polished crystal, rumbles then lifts itself from the ground for several minutes before lowering itself once more. The spire was quickly broken down and a large core of crystal brought back down into the miles and miles of tunnels that permeated the crust of the moon.

On Rukor the repairs from the Ahkam attacks were well under way by Ahkam prisoners and Reconstructed when the ships carrying the Ambassadors return them to their home. The ructu send out word to summon the leaders of the various villages and towns that made up the ructu civilization, loaned Coffins ferrying them quickly to the metropolis city. Terrordrome halves sit outside the city ready to leap to its defenses at a moments notice as the leadership of the ructu seal themselves inside their large audience hall to discuss the Armada and the offer of friendship.

There is much to do and tend to, what shall you do first?

Have Jadyk travel to meet the Armatocere delegation on that world where Jor first met them. Let's get the details of our new alliance hashed out now, they may be able to offer some additional advice on cloning for our sunscale project.

The Eldertrees haven't arrived yet and they're doing a bit of temporary terraforming to allow them to meet you in person. I'll make sure to point out when they arrive

There was some debate on where the Sunscale cloning facility would be kept. Please choose now
>Horizon's Drop moon
>Scorched research world
>Bastion
>Necrolyte controlled frozen world

Cloning the first Sunscale Workers will begin once the facility is constructed. The facility will contain a full barracks of Reconstructed

>temporary terraforming
That is an awful lot of effort to put into a single diplomatic meeting. Nice to see they're taking it seriously at least.

Contact the lavafather and ask him how the work with the crystal is going and how he plans on using it. While we're there, ask him what power he served under in the Undying Court, we've never actually figured that out and I'm curious.

I'm stuck between necrolyte and the sunburnt

But as we wouldn't want the sunscale Fibding our spiral but at the same time I don't want the wraiths watching our project and they hang out in that sector

Straight up do to population increase and for general convenience I suggest we double the amount of think tanks an demo think tanks

I also suggest we allow the to wok along side the legion to help decrease their fatality rates

I also had an idea for a combat collar that is built into combat armour that contains a Nid and life drain device for our legionnaires in the hopes of being able to clone them. Also to assist in this regards I suggest each has a dream stone to better collect and store their memories

>>Necrolyte controlled frozen world
We can't afford to keep it in the systems inhabited by our living subjects or any significant infrastructure, so the frozen world it is. I'd also like to recommend keeping a void-nova warhead on site, just in case the sunscale raid the joint and we have to cover our tracks.

>Lavafather
>And frozen workd

>Necrolyte controlled frozen world
and yeah keep a Void-Nova or two underneath it all just in case.

Then
>Speak to Lavafather

>Necrolyte controlled frozen world

Seconding

A really quick question what would happen if we transferred living essence I to a wounded subject

Like with Jor we healed him using the necrotic could we set up a stim pack like thing for our troops to keep me alive long enough to be out into stasis or is that what the adrenaline one is for?

On a distant side of the same frozen world the Necrolyte Legion maintained a small outpost in the hollowed out shell of the Confederate research lab Reconstructed bore deep into a thick glacier of toxic ice. Entropic Excavators drill, burn and pummel their way through the hard-packed ice as they hollow out a large cavern under several hundred tons of glacier. Manglers and Dirges begin raising walls and pillars while smaller Reconstructed connect them all together forming rooms and passages.

Drifting in between planets your Eyegore continues to keep watch for any Wraith presence. Ever since your meeting with Akka-Tor they had been suspiciously absent when before the Eyegore could catch distant glimpses of the ragged ghosts drifting in the cosmic winds.

>Sunscale Cloning facility placed on the frozen world

>Speak to the Lavafather
Within Agona's fortress on the rain-slicked plateau of Bastion you send a Think Tank to the hovering chunk of obsidian glass that drifted idly in the courtyard and establish a connection to the Lavafather. The ground rumbles faintly and you feel his attention turn toward you.

"Lord Jadyk, it is good to hear from you. Is everything alright with the Armada? My forces grow by the day and my subjects are ready to leap to battle once more. The first taste of equal battle against the Ahkam has only whet their appetite," you can sense a feeling of contentment through the connection.

What shall you speak to him about?

Ask him what he's planning on doing with that massive piece of crystalline engineering we saw him working on earlier, it was quite an impressive sight. Then ask him if he could reforge muic like he did her sister, and also ask him which power in the old undying court he served.

These sound like solid questions

these

Do this.

"I must again thank you for helping enhancing Agona. She is going to be a terror for the enemies of the Armada. Her sister Muic is eager to be reforged as well, if you would be so kind and indulge her," you send through the connection.

"It would be my pleasure. Punisher Muic will be given the same gifts of power and might as her sister and further unify us," he replies and you send a short message to Muic granting your blessing for her reforging and she sends her gratitude.

"I happened to witness that piece of crystalline engineering, quite an impressive sight. May I ask what it was you were working on?," As you wait you look through an array of alerts the Think Tanks funnel your way occasionally. Osogo throughout Horizon's Drop were being met by the alpha sisters of Red-Leaf-Strains and many have begun their own pilgrimage to Iti'a'Ropku guided by a Gargoyle.

Shortly the Lavafather responds, "Experimentation in the limits of the crystal telekinesis and attempts to enhance it. In the future, perhaps telekinetic propulsion will replace our current thrusters and propulsion. It is a far off goal but I am hopeful. I cannot thank you enough for granting us the gift of that technology. It has already greatly increased my industrial capabilities and my Obsidianborn thinkers are hard at work on new ways to utilize it."

"You will share these developments with the Armada, correct?" you inquire

"Of course," the answer came quick

"I know this might appear a random question but I was curious, which faction of the Undying Court did you serve?" you had never had reason to question his previous loyalties but the discovery of the ruins bearing Ruscuvs sigil had you curious.

The delay in his answer stretches surprisingly long before his answer comes, "I was a vassal Ulsut and a member of the Plaguedrinkers."

You brush away the other notifications and focus fully on the Lavafather, "I had met Ulsut. They were only a Plaguedrinker, not their patron. You are lying."

Shit just got real

The ground of Bastion rumbles as the Lavafathers prison quakes briefly then settles before his next words, "Why would I lie to you, Lord Jadyk?"

"That is what I'm curious of myself. Ulsut was merely the chosen champion of the Plaguedrinkers patron. Reveal who you really are and served before your imprisonment. You clearly knew of the Armada and some of its members," you accuse and across your forces fleets and your troops on Bastion tense warily.

Roll me 1d100 best of first 3 please

Rolled 6 (1d100)

...

Rolled 53 (1d100)

Rolled 8 (1d100)

I put in a capital D for dice >.

...

I figured the Lavafather was being dishonest to get in good with us. Not that I care much, the New Necrotic Armada is a far cry in it's organization from the Undying Court and has alliances that most of the old undead to shake their heads at. As long as the lavafather is loyal to us that is all that matters.

Put it like this

"I don't care who you served but I may have found ruins if another former member that is improsoned and I would like know I am not releasing a former foe of yours

Oh dude, that's possibly our sister in those ruins, we're busting them open and releasing that ancient evil no matter what the talking volcano tells us.

You are almost ready to repeat your demands, not wishing to completely throw away a valuable ally like the Lavafather when he finally responds.

"I was never a part of the Grand Necrotic Armada. Yes I knew of the Armada only because I fought against it," there is a moment of silence as your forces relax but still keep an eye on the fleets of the Lavafather though they continue as if nothing was wrong, "I was originally a member of what the other races called Wasps. We were created as a slave race eons ago but the Crystalline Minds reached out to us and freed us. For a time, it was good. We coexisted and achieved many great feats but then the Armada descended on the Galaxy. The Crystalline Minds ignored the plights of the other races but my kin pleaded with them to intervene. Our might could, and did, turn the tide of death and destruction."

He trailed off as if grouping up his memories, "I was among those that fought and exterminated the Plaguedrinkers and many others. I was united with my partner, an Obsidian Crystal forged for war, and we brought ruin to the undead. But then, we betrayed our brethren. We slew another Wasp warrior and shattered its Crystal companion. They punished us, trapping my mind within the Obsidian and plunging me into this prison. It took me untold years to learn how to control the forces of heat and pressure around me, to create new Obsidianborn and discovering the primitive stonestar."

The great volcano rumbles and fresh magma burst forth in glowing rivers, "I hate my former kin and the Crystalline Minds. They destroyed my partners mind and trapped me in their husk then sealed me away for an eternity in a literal hell. I do not know where they are or if they still exist in this galaxy but I am prepared for my revenge. We are kindred minds, broken and imprisoned by them and I would gladly have you by my side to seek our vengeance."

He falls silent then, as if waiting your judgement.

What shall you say or do in response?

forgive, but (silently) do not forget

Well then.

Ask him what prompted him to betray his kin in the first place.

I understand why you lied to me, but I sincerely ask you not do that again. You side of the war was not the only side that had known betrayal. Indeed I was imprisoned and my master slain because of it. That said, I take to lairs poorly. Be straight with me and I will straight with you. As for revenge, You may have it time, you may not. I have seen only echoes and ruins of them so far. I would advise that you spite your enemies by living well and building something truly grand. Turn their punishment into boon instead of a bane.

They where right to stop me you know. Our original quest would lead only to ebtropy and stagnation I realise that now. I hold no grudge against you for what is in the past but I thank you for your honesty

I like this

This is a good one, supporting.

And I do not like this. This makes Jadyk seem like he thinks getting imprisoned and having everything had striven for up to that point destroyed was a good thing for him. Also makes him seem like he's apologizing for his actions when he lead the old Necrotic Armada. Way out of character, in a word.

We lost an army but we did gain something more important a revelation
But yeah being improsoned was not a happy thing but the lessons learned from it where

Should we ask why he murdwred one of his fellows?

"What urged you to betray your kin?" you ask simply and you can almost sense his surprise at your seeming lack of anger.

"A rivalry, once friendly and harmless driven to bitterness and jealousy. A duel ending fatally when I foolishly gave into my rage and hate. An Obsidian Mind was not like the others grown pure outside of time, instead forged in heat and passion to go to war and they fueled our passions," he replies solemnly, "In our combined fury we slew my brother and shattered his Quartz. It is still my great shame."

"I understand why you lied to me, but I sincerely ask that remain truthful from here on. Your side of the war was not the only one that had known betrayal. I myself was betrayed and imprisoned and my master slain. That said, I take to liars poorly. You pledged yourself to me and my cause and I have nothing but honesty from my vassals, is that understood?"

The ground rumbles softly, the Reconstructed on Bastions surface starting to grow annoyed with the seismic activity, "I understand, Lord Jadyk."

"As for your revenge, I am afraid that lust may go unsated. I have nothing but echoes and ruins of the Wasps and Crystalline Minds. The secrets of their telekinetic power unearthed in ruins long abandoned," His bitterness was clear through the link but you continue, "Let your success be your revenge. They sealed you in your old partners corpse and trapped you in a prison of heat, never expecting you to be free. But here you are greater than you ever were before, your mind reaching out across this moon and uplifting a race from savage tribal wars to walking among the stars. Let your success and the Stonestar be your vengeance for now. The New Necrotic Armada still has a place for the Lavafather and his children of obsidian and fury."

There is a long silence before a the Lavafather finally replies, "Thank you, Lord Jadyk. I am still devoted to your cause and my empire gladly dedicates itself to the New Necrotic Armada."

Were there any other questions you had for the Lavafather before moving onto other matters?

We should ask him to perhaps create a data base of useful information that would come in handy should we encounter the crystalline minds weaknesses strength tactics any information is helpful

Then we should focus on the ruins I feel we should make a nice family reunion

Also we should mention that planet we encountered while going to meet akkator the one with the crystal spires reaching out to a ball of water between two planets

See, I don't think Jadyk has had a terribly significant change of heart since emerging from his imprisonment. Sure, he's radically changed how he deals with the living, but I like to think this wasn't the result of a revelation so much as it was a revision of the same principles that drove him before his fall. His reasons for his newfound benevolence are not simply signs of a sudden change of heart in the lich but a necessary means to achieving exactly what he has always sought; to dominate the galaxy and bring glory to the name of Wormstar.

Jadyk has just come to realize that having a body of living and loyal subjects is necessary to establishing that.

YES! I have forgotten about that. Let's go check it out

How about no? She is probably still there.and if she is it is certainly a trap.

"Good," Muic boards the cruiser she'd taken as her own and departs for Bastion and her reforging, "Any information on the tactics and abilities of your former comrades would be quite useful should we encounter them in the future."

"I did not know much about the technology of the Crystalline Minds, much of it indistinguishable from themselves. I will however share knowledge of their tactics and weaponry they used though their technology has likely progressed even further since my imprisonment," he says and for the briefest of moments you see a memory.

He flew through the void of space, armored in razor-sharp greenish-black glass, dodging blasts of necrotic energy and streams of kinetic rounds as a fleet of Armada ships open fire on him and the handful of Crystal armored Wasps flying by his side. Fightercraft raced at them unleashing their own weapons but the way he and his comrades sailed and danced around them made the fighters look sluggish and primitive as they were sliced through with nanomolecular edged blades or blasts of focused light.

A frigate rapidly neared and he thrust his hands forward, his armor growing and shaping itself before his eyes turning them both into a spear of glass. The shield shattered and hardly slowed them before they punch through the thick hulls of metal and bone. His aim true as ever he and his Obsidian pierced the necrotic reactor of the ship as he passed clean through the ship. It detonated moments later but he was already moving on, aiming himself for another ship as his heart soared with exhilaration.

You are unsure if he was aware of the slip but you say nothing of it, recognizing the ships of one of your old allies the Dread Wights.

We can show him imagery of it
It's not like Jaydk is going to drag te moon to the system and be like "check this shit out"

Also shall we share the hard light research with the lava father

I think we should build a couple cloning facilities on the burnt out planet but produce normal clones as a steady boost to the necrolyte legions

Speaking of which we need to build them a proper fleet of ships

Instead you send an image of the strange binary worlds you had seen in the system neighboring the one Akka-Tor had been harvesting. He replies before you could send your own message, "I am amazed that still exists. It was an experimental habitat for races of aquatic beings, sort of a refugee camp until they could be relocated. Those structures projected a gravity well, enhancing the natural lagrange point. Is it still populated?"

"Not that we could detect but we did not trust to stay long. It is unlikely much living remains, a neighboring system held the forces of Sun-Eater Akka-Tor," the ground shakes angrily at the name and boulders bounce down the side of Agona's fortified plateau.

"A pity," he says simply.

You bid him farewell and turn your mind to other tasks while still mulling over his revealed origins.

A number of things have arisen requiring or requesting your attention.
>Speak to Buddy about the meeting
>The Blackscale wish to speak briefly
>Voidknight Jareth wishes to speak about the Deathshead captives
>The visiting Stonestar say they are ready to return to Bastion after their lessons in technology and warfare

What shall you tend to first?

>>The Blackscale wish to speak briefly

First the niggerscails then the stone stars

>The Blackscale wish to speak briefly

The Demi-Think Tank you'd assigned to the Blackscale projects your image in their ship the Pestilence and you see them seated on their dais, speaking about their plans for the cloning facility to fuel their creation of Knights but they halt as they notice you. Bowing their heads in greeting Guir speaks first, "Thank you for replying so soon, Lord Jadyk. We realized we should share this plan with you before enacting it."

You nod and motion for them to continue and Raakah speaks next, "You know the Flyer Sunscale caste?"

"Yes. Seem to be harmless and childlike. Hardly useful for combat. Why?" you had ignored the hyperactive creatures, focusing instead on the abilities of the others.

Beqor's third eye stares off in the distance, "They are indeed children. Their minds are pure and innocent. Violence terrifies them and they cannot stand to be caged," he glances at the others for a moment then continues guardedly, "This Cabal has decided to release them instead of converting them to undeath."

Raakah speaks before you could question them, "We have already chosen a suitable world. A garden world, lush with game and lacking any true intelligent species. It is highly doubtful our orthodox cousins will find them. They will be happy there and unable to interfere with our plans. They have no knowledge of this systems location and are not a threat."

Guir nods, "Will you allow this, Lich-Lord?"

The Blackscale wish to release the Flyer Sunscale captives who they claim are harmless. How shall you respond to this wish?
>Write-in

It will be allowed, however if I find you misled me, or that you underestimated them it will be on your head. What brought this on may I ask?

"This is an unusually merciful gesture of you, why?"

No, spike them and let them live in our capital.

Sounds good to me

Ask them where this world is and if it is nearby, in the unlikely event that you need to defend it from hostile forces.

What exactly are they used for by the sunscale then?

And why such a benevolent act I would have thought you would use then for raw materials

But if they are harmless then I don't see by not would they not be happy in iur Capitol?

You almost wish for a face to show your surprise, "This a rather uncharacteristic act of kindness for you all. What brought this on?" your image folding your arms across your chest.

They glance at each other for a moment then Beqor sighs heavily, "It may be hard to believe but we would feel too..." he struggles to search for the word.

"Guilty?" you offer while truly disbelieving.

"Yes, guilty," Guir says, "The Flyers are innocent. They wage no war, they are rarely strong enough of faith to beckon the Father but the Mother dotes on them. They would be a liability if they were to live in Iti'a'Ropku even though your world and city would be suitable for them."

Raakah flexes her oversized fist compulsively, "We decided as a Cabal never to take the life of a Flyer or reanimate one. There is nothing more depressing and pitiful than an undead Flyer."

You point a finger at them, "I understand now. You Blackscale are not all bile and hatred for your uncorrupted kin. You actually care for the Flyers," the way they recoiled or looked away at the accusation only served to confirm you accusation but you wave the matter off, "Very well. You may release them on this world. Make sure they know nothing of where they have been. We cannot afford a Sunscale fleet arriving at our doorstep."

The Blackscale compose themselves and bow before you, "Very well Lord Jadyk. We thank you for your understanding," Raakah says before the connection is severed.

Keep an Eyegore in the system they are released?
>Y/N?

>Y

Y

Speak with jareth

>>Y

>Y
May as well stand watch. I guess ever faction draws the line somewhere, the blackscale's is murdering and reanimating children

Who shall you speak to next?
>Speak to Buddy about the meeting
>Voidknight Jareth wishes to speak about the Deathshead captives
>The visiting Stonestar say they are ready to return to Bastion after their lessons in technology and warfare

>Speak to Buddy about the meeting

Jareth then buddy

>y
And a dream stone obelisk

>Jareth
>Buddy

Why can't we just send the stonestar back as we are talking to someone? Unless our presence is needed it seems like a pretty autonomous task.

>>Speak to Buddy about the meeting
Gotta hear about how the kelp pitch went.

I can support this send them an autonomous thanks and let them return was there like a head stone star that wanted our attention to thank us or something?

Btw can we search the confederate citizens we have from the other planet to search for potential energy users

Also would I be right In assuming the ruins need clearing before we can go in and open the newest can of fun?

Considering the recent revelations about the Lavafather, I'd prefer we meet these guys just to see how they feel about us at this point.

As you sat in the Charnel Vault you bring up a screen showing Jor speaking to the Stonestar as they prepared to depart for Bastion. A Demi-Think Tank floats forward and projects another image of yourself and they turn to face the holographic image. Jor bows low and the Stonestar dips one side of is body toward you, its eyes peering up at you from the gaps in its chitin suit.

"I hope your time here among the Armada was an enlightening experience. May you bring honor to the Lavafather and your people," you say to the researcher.

The stonestar seemed intimidated by you but it bobs itself in their version of a nod, "Very enjoyable as well. We have learned much and we will work hard to bring glory to the Armada. Our traitor-kin may find yet find redemption under this city," they say in their clacking code of a language. You were surprised they spoke almost fondly of the traitor stonestar that your Armada had "adopted" after their exile.

"We can only hope. They already join my Legion and bring honor to themselves in combat. Bring word to your people that anyone may visit Iti'a'Ropku should they wish. Our home is open to all friends of the Armada," you say as your hologram waves broadly at the city behind you.

The head researcher gives thanks again before departing with Jor to finish up the remaining tasks of gathering the stonestar and leaving for Bastion.

>Stonestar researchers and warriors returning to Bastion

Yeah the tunnel is mostly collapsed and the Reconstructed are hard at work clearing it out. It looks like there had been some presence there before they hastily detonated the entrance in an attempt to hide it before they left

Ok so who first?
>Buddy
>Jareth

Buddy

>>Buddy

>Buddy

Pass the kelp brother
Business first then we can can play with the deaths head

Share the pheremone research with buddy to help with "bribes" and setting up his empire

>Jareth
If he wants to see us it must be pretty important if not urgent .

Oh hey there's an idea. It would be risky as hell in some situations but for most deals that would be really handy.

If he set up a den it would make deals much smoother to get done

Actually that raises a question can we modify the kelp with the pheromones in mind to increase the feeling of euphoria?

Forget the euphoria, could you imagine what they'd do with hallucination pheromone mixed in?

You find Buddy sitting in the small mess area of the Wick eating a bowl noodles with a pair of thin plastic sticks as he scrolled through a datapad displaying the local betting and gambling halls. A holographic bust of yourself materializes over the datapad nearly making him choke in surprise. Covering his coughs with his arm he pushes the bowl away and tries to clear his throat as Eigha looks over from where she sat writing at her own pad, mandibles clicking in surprise at the sight of you projected by the Demi-Think Tank.

Finally Buddy composes himself with a small laugh, "Ah, forgive me Lord Jadyk, you uh, surprised me. I was just about to contact you," he says and you can feel his nervousness through the spike in his chest.

"Yes, I'm sure you were. So tell me, have you made progress on your little endeavor?" you ask with a glance toward Eigha who was making to leave but sits back down as the Demi-Think Tank sends a small jolt through the spike lodged between the plates of her carapace.

Buddy runs a hand over his recently shaved scalp, "Well, it went good actually. They were impressed by the narcotikelp, said it even had a catchy enough name. They're going to bring some in to show the big bosses but they seem like it's a done deal. They even joked about wanting to buy from us themselves if the deal doesn't go through," he says with a small laugh but coughs when you stare at him silent, "From what they were saying if the big bosses like it enough they'll let us bring in a decent amount first to see how it sells then depending on it's popularity they'll negotiate for bigger shipments."

>cont

Eigha speaks up with a click of her mandibles, "I did some research on these guys and I think they might be what we're looking for. Rumors and public records say they've got ties in shipping lanes, particularly food transportation between agri-worlds that much of their contraband is made on. Honestly we could probably use their shipping companies to sell both the narcotikelp, the regular food kelp, and maybe even some of the crops you have growing in the city," she says counting them off on her fingers.

You nod, "Very good, Eigha. See what you two can do to establish a demand for the narcotikelp, that is your main priority. Even if that means going to every drug-den in Veraga Prime and giving away samples or operating one yourselves, I want this planet to need what we have. Good luck and may the Wormstar guide you."

Eigha and Buddy bow their heads, "Glory to the Wormstar and the Armada," they intone before your image flickers out.

Buddy collapses back in his seat with a heavy sigh, "That doesn't sound good for the people here, huh?"

Eigha shrugs, reaches across the table to grab the abandoned bowl of noodles and returns to scrolling through her datapad, "I dunno. I like this more than being a rancher on some half-frozen backwater."

Buddy nods with a small grunt, "Yeah I guess you're right. I hated those damn herd-beasts," he grumbles.

Depends on what kind of hallucinations though bad trips don't sell well

But if we can make it one hell of a fun trip and we wot have to try and sell it we will just red to make sure we have enough to get to all the buyers

Also we should think about sending an envoy to open communications with the confederates so we can start diplomancing the fuckers

Hell, with the pheromone technology we got from the Armatocere we could practically start making different strains with different kinds of effects. They would sell like hotcakes.

Has Jaydk checked the populous for Solar capable members? i feel we could make a nice order of the Solar Skellington

...

I was thinking we could make a big public announcement about the prospect of recruiting energy sensitive individuals from our subjects before screening them all. Make it a big affair within the city with each head of our orders present and use the occasion to tell the people of what it entails and why they should do it. We could use the event to tell them about our immortal program too.

The black glass walls of the Voidknights temple glint and shine with a myriad of colors as you drift down the long hallways. Jareth awaited you near the prison containing the Osjiic undead and turns to greet you with a low bow, "Lord Jadyk, thank you for coming."

"Of course, Revenant Jareth. What did you wish to speak about?" you inquire as you float before him, Kyn'tk twisting in your grasp. You could feel deep below you the ritual Lorgul was in the midst of, an aura of void energy shining like a hidden star.

The Voidknight jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the prison where the Deathshead Guardians were held in cells hardly large enough to move in, "Figured I'd ask you myself while Lorgul is occupied. What are you wishes for the Deathshead? They just sit there in their cells meditating. We don't think they're trying to contact anyone, we felt them try before but it's like they're in stasis. Likely out of boredom. Lorgul likes to come down and taunt them despite their lack of reaction," he says with an exasperated shrug.

Revenant Jareth requests your advice on how to deal with the Deathshead Guardians you have imprisoned.
>Write-in

I'll make sure we do a roll before we stop to do so, cause I think you're right in that we haven't.